Informal Saarc bilateral in Delhi

India today hosted an informal summit between SAARC leaders on the sidelines of Modi coronation. Maldives President met his Sri Lankan counterpart while Nepali premier held discussions with the Pakistani premier. The Afghan President also had interaction with other Saarc heads; he did not appear to have met Pakistani premier.

Prime Ministers of Nepal, and Mauritius and Maldives President held bilateral with Indian Premier.

Narendra Modi conveyed to President Abdulla Yameen the high importance attached by India to its relations with the Maldives, and pledged to work towards further enhancing bilateral cooperation. He expressed Delhi’s support to cooperation in the petroleum and natural gas sector, particularly in oil exploration as well as in tourism and education sectors.

Both shared a recognition that the security interests of the two countries were interlinked and agreed that each side would continue to be sensitive to the concerns of the other on the issue.

Modi and Yameen were unanimous that their respective territories would not be allowed to be used by any quarter for any activity inimical to the other.

The two leaders agreed to take measures to further strengthen investment and trade cooperation as well as cooperation in projects that would strengthen regional and sub-regional transport and connectivity to mutual advantage.

On Mauritius

The Modi - Navinchandra Ramgoolam talks underlined the special and unique relationship between India and Mauritius. Indian Premier pointed out that two countries are bound together by history, common ancestry and kinship of their people.

Both leaders agreed to further strengthen the relationship, especially economic cooperation and interactions in the field of maritime security, renewable energy, and the blue-economy, including development of related infrastructure. They also agreed to work together with all other member countries in further strengthening the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

In a media interaction, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam said his government would provide automatic exchange of tax related information with India to allay apprehensions about Mauritius being used for money laundering activities.

“We both agreed that there must be quick resolution (on the issues) for certainty, clarity and predictability”, he said, and made it clear that Mauritius would not allow anybody to abuse or misuse its jurisdiction for any illicit activities.

Karzai – Modi

In his meeting with President Karzai, Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s commitment to the development and reconstruction of Afghanistan. “India wants to see emergence of a prosperous, independent and sovereign Afghanistan, where the reconciliation process would be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled”, he told his guest from Kabul.

Modi also thanked Karzai for the security cover provided by Afghan National Security Forces to Indian missions. He noted that the ANSF had repelled the attack on Indian consulate at Heart, adding “the attack only strengthened our resolve to work together with Afghanistan”.

In interviews with Indian media, President Karzai said Pakistan based terror group LeT had carried out the attack. He also said that Mullah Omar is in Pakistan

India - Bhutan

Prime Minister Modi- Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay talks also were also held at Hyderabad House, which is the general official venue for bilateral summits. The two Prime Ministers agreed to commence four new Joint Venture Hydroelectric projects with a generating capacity of 2120 MW in Bhutan. They affirmed their mutual security interests, and agreed to closely coordinate and cooperate on issues relating to their national interest.

Modi assured Bhutan premier of India’s unflinching support to his country’s socio-economic development.

Conveying warm greetings and respects to the King of Bhutan, he added India and Bhutan share a unique and special relationship with long-standing historical and cultural linkages.